Trump Administration Announces New Proposed Rules for Association Health Plans

On Thursday, the Trump administration released new proposed rules to carry out an executive order the President signed in October expanding association health plans to self-employed individuals and small businesses. Supporters of the proposed rule claim that association health plans would be less expensive than plans that available today. Challengers to the bill – including insurers – feel these plans would provide poor coverage and could further damage the already weak ACA marketplaces.

“Association health plans could provide a viable opportunity for small employers to have access to more options and potentially lower costs as long as the programs were established long-term and there was not abuse or adverse selection,” said Jonathan Edelheit, President, Health Care Reform Center & Policy Institute. “This could provide some exciting times and innovation and will disrupt things.”

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